Gorringe A¹, Robinson A², Fox A³, Cartwright K⁴ & Feavers I⁵

Neisseria lactamica as a vaccine against meningococcal disease

Evidence suggests that colonisation of the nasopharynx with Neisseria lactamica (a harmless close relative of Neisseria meningitidis), may lead to natural immunity to N. meningitidis in young children.

The researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of an N. lactamica vaccine in protecting against meningococcal disease using an animal model. Whilst this is not an ideal model, results to date suggest that immunisation with N. lactamica protect against N. meningitidis, the bacteria responsible for causing meningococcal disease.

Vaccines already developed to prevent meningococcal disease offer protection against specific serogroups. A vaccine developed based on N. lactamica may protect against more than one serogroup, or serotype of the meningococcus.

The research is as yet incomplete and further laboratory-based studies and clinical trials will be needed

Source

Infection & Immunity July 2002 70(7) p3621-3626

Contacts
^1,2 Centre for Applied Microbiology & Research (CAMR), Salisbury
³ PHLS, Manchester
⁴PHLS (South & West), Gloucester
⁵ National Institute for Biological Standard & Controls (NIBSC), Hertfordshire